2019 SAFE International Conference

SAFE Conference 2019

The SAFE 2019 International Conference will be held on September 6, 2019 and October 4, 2019. As usual, the conference is held via Zoom.us on the internet as a video conference. The presentations will be recorded and posted as private You Tube videos. This allows attendees to watch the presentations as often as desired and for the people in time zones that are not conducive to watching live to watch at a later time.

The conference will start at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight time, 12:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight time, 16:00 GMT, 4:00 NZST Sept. 7

All times shown for the speakers are shown in Pacific Daylight Time

Register for the 2019 SAFE conference

Early bird rates expired on August 10, 2019

SAFE members, enter the discount code then press Apply. The member rate will be shown.

Presentations set for September 6

9:00 – 10:00 Jim Robinson, Esq. – How Attorneys Dig Up Dirt on Expert Witnesses

Abstract

Attorney Jim Robinson will explain the various ways that attorneys look to research expert witnesses.  This behind the scenes look will explain what attorneys look for before retaining an expert, and how they uncover data on opposing experts.  Mr. Robinson will explain what type of dirt is most damaging to an expert’s reputation, and where attorneys can find such information.  He will also explain specific strategies experts should engage in to ensure attorneys find them as they want to be found, and how to do to address information that might be harmful to an expert

Bio

Mr. Robinson is an attorney, and founder of JurisPro Inc. As an attorney, Mr. Robinson specializes in construction defect, personal injury, and business litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants. Mr. Robinson is a member of the California Bar Association, and former member of the American Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, American Association For Justice, Los Angeles County Bar Association, and Consumer Attorneys of California. Mr. Robinson is also past Education Chair for the  California Bar, Law Practice Management and Technology section.

 

 

 

10:10 – 11:10 Doug Cobb – Method of Differentiating Different Types of Paper

Doug is president of Paper Forensics

Doug brings twenty-six years of experience to Paper Forensics, with twelve of those as a Forensic Document Examiner. He has held a variety of technical and production positions within the paper industry. He has extensive experience in papermaking and printing bring a scientific perspective to document examination.

Doug has introduced two patent-pending technologies for advancements in forensic document examination and legal document security, ScanRite and SecureDoc5.

Doug’s vast experience in wet end and surface & colloid chemistry is instrumental in the evaluation of the relationship of paper and ink. His paper science background brings a scientific perspective to paper and handwriting analysis and document security.

Abstract

Doug will take us on an in-depth look into different types of paper. He will explain different types of paper, discuss the unique properties or characteristics for each and why they are important. He will also show examples of different papers how to identify them, then show print examples of various printers and paper and how the paper affects the printing results.

 

11:20 – 12:20 Scott Ditfurth, Esq – Conducting Trial Examination of Experts

Bio

Scott Ditfurth is a partner in Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Riverside office and a civil litigator emphasizing business and real property disputes for both private and public clients. His practice encompasses contract claims and business disputes, as well as land use and planning, eminent domain and inverse condemnation. Scott’s clients include the City of Riverside, the Riverside County Transportation Commission and Western Municipal Water District. On behalf of RCTC, he is involved with the toll road expansion of State Route 91 in Riverside, a $1.4 billion project. Scott is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and is admitted to practice law in the State of California.

Abstract

This presentation provides a roadmap for attorneys and experts to work together to achieve the goals of effectively preparing for, and conducting, trial examination.  Specifically, this presentation provides suggestions and guidelines for conducting expert trial testimony, including trial testimony, use of language during testimony, and overall presentation.  This presentation also discusses strategies for conducting cross-examinations of experts, and how to effectively combat expert testimony.

1:00 – 2:00 Geri Spieler – Super Sleuthing: Internet Research Secrets Everyone Should Know

Abstract

How do you start your research process? What words do you use to find information?  Do you know how to gauge when a website is genuine? In this workshop we will introduce the methods that combine the main topics of “Online Research Methods” that are designed to include several methodologies to equip you with the skills and tools to prepare you to find real information and be able to discern it is reliable.

In this session you will learn:

  • How to create better key word and word-phrase

And searches using search strings

  • How to avoid “Disambiguation.”
  • What is the “Deep Web” and how can it help the research process.
  • How can search anonymously?
  • List of Deep Web search engines and data bases.
  • What is the difference between search engines, metasearch engines, directors and portals and how can it help my research?
  • How to avoid “Filter Bubbles.”
  • What are invisible Web sites and why can’t we use them?
  • Is people-search ethical? How can we use it for our purposes?

Bio

Geri Spieler a journalist and investigative reporter. She has written for the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Forbes and as a Research Director for Gartner, a global technology advising company and is a regular contributor to Truthdig.com, an award-winning investigative reporting website.

While at Phillips Publishing in Washington D.C., she edited two technology newsletters, Electronic Data Interchange and the founder and editor of Electronic Commerce News. Her work for Phillips led to an assignment as a Research Director and Analyst for the Gartner Group, an international technology advising company.

She is a reviewer for the New Work Journal of Books, member of National Book Critics Circle, member of the Society for Professional Journalists and member of the Internet Society. She was also a signature blogger for the Huffington Post.

Her nonfiction book, Taking Aim at the President, published by Macmillan,  has won many first place awards and has been optioned for a movie on the “big Screen” by screen writers Andrew Logan and Taylor Allen.

Geri graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles with a degree in English. She is past president and member of the San Francisco/Peninsula Branch of California Writers Club, conference director of the Jack London Writers Conference and board member of NorCal, a consortium of Northern California CWC branches.

2:10 – 3:10 Dave Zweig – MiScope Analysis Techniques for Document Examination

Bio

Dave Zweig has a Bachelors and Masters degree in Optics from the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester.  He spent 10 years working for a defense contractor in the area of large space optics, including extensive involvement with NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Telescope.  Mr. Zweig founded Zarbeco, LLC in 2001 to commercialize the then newly developed USB imaging technology, including USB cameras and microscopes.  The MiScope handheld digital microscope was introduced in 2004.  Zarbeco was one of the first companies to offer a compact USB microscope with IR and UV illumination, and continues to develop products that cater to the document examination community.

Abstract

The MiScope handheld digital microscope and its software let you view and capture images over a wide range of magnifications using different light sources including white, ultraviolet and infrared.  This presentation will demonstrate some analysis techniques that would be useful for document examiners including live measurement, image comparison, comparing the live and stored images as transparent overlays, and other topics that are suggested by the members.

3:20 – 4:20 James Heiting, Esq. – How Attorneys Select Experts

Bio

Mr. Heiting is the managing partner of Heiting & Irwin has been practicing law since receiving his doctorate degree in law in 1976. Mr. Heiting is admitted to practice before all courts of the state, the federal courts, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the California and United States Supreme Courts.

“Top Rated Lawyer in Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice” (American Lawyer).  “One of the top 100 trial attorneys in the nation” (National Trial Lawyers), “an exceptional lawyer”, past President of the State Bar of California (over 200,000 lawyers) (2005-2006), and served on the State Bar Board of Governors (2002-2006).  Peers, judges and clients rate him “Superb” (AVVO); “Preeminent, highest possible rating in legal ability and ethics” (Martindale-Hubbell); member of his law school’s Hall of Fame; Inland Empire Magazine called him the “Best of the Best”.  The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients.  Heiting & Irwin specializes in representing clients victimized by serious injuries, wrongful death, negligence, and serious accidents.  Mr. Heiting is also called on for representation in eminent domain and a variety of other civil litigation areas.

He is or has been a member of multiple federal and state litigation, ethics, and trial associations.   He has been a Commissioner, overseeing eight western states of the Commission on Lawyers Assistance Programs, appointed by three American Bar Association presidents for three consecutive terms.  He also has served as president of the Riverside County Bar Association, was a co-founder of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court (training younger or less experienced members of the bar), and a charter member of the Inland Empire Federal Bar Association.  He was president of The Other Bar (a statewide organization of judges and lawyers helping other lawyers and judges) from 1991 – 1993, and a board member from 1988 – 2003.  He was vice-chair of the Substance Use Disorders Advisory Board to the Health Law Section of the American Bar Association (2015 – 2017).

Mr. Heiting has been practicing law since receiving his doctorate degree in law in 1976.  He has served as a judge pro tem in Superior Court, and continues to serve in this capacity and as a privately requested and court appointed arbitrator and mediator in state courts and the California Court of Appeal, as well as handling his active practice in prosecuting and defending personal injury and medical malpractice matters.  He has been an invited speaker, lecturer and panelist for lawyer and trial practice organizations and for the State Bar and a variety of legal and community organizations across the country.  Even with this very active professional life, Mr. Heiting dedicates an extensive amount of time to service on boards of several non-profit organizations.  Mr. Heiting is the recipient of the highest honors bestowed in two regional bar associations: the James H. Krieger Meritorious Service Award (Riverside, California  County Bar Association), and the Florentino Garza Fortitude Award (San Bernardino County Bar Association), acknowledging significant community service and outstanding civic achievement.

Abstract

A trial attorney’s perspective on what makes an effective expert.  What are we looking for?  How do we identify experts?  How do we use them?  And what elements weigh on their effectiveness.

Register for the 2019 SAFE conference

Early bird rates expired on August 10, 2019

SAFE members, enter the discount code then press Apply. The member rate will be shown.

Presentations set for October 4

9:00 – 10:00 Christina Harvey, Esq. – Be Heard on Paper: Persuasive Legal Writing

Bio

CHRISTINA VASSILIOU HARVEY focuses her practice on personal injury litigation. She has experience litigating personal injury cases on both the plaintiff and defense sides, including medical malpractice, professional malpractice, slip and falls, motor vehicle accidents, worker’s compensation, and product liability cases. In addition, she handles complex civil litigation, horseracing law, and disability matters.

Ms. Harvey practices in the federal and state courts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, at both the trial and appellate levels, as well as before administrative agencies.

Ms. Harvey has authored articles for the New Jersey Lawyer magazine, the New Jersey Lawyer newspaper, NJ Esq., The Affiliate, The Young Lawyer and the New Jersey State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (NJSBA-YLD) newsletter. She has lectured on attorney ethics, technology issues, and other subjects for the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the New Jersey State Bar Association, and the Monmouth Bar Association.

Ms. Harvey serves as Vice President to the Board of Directors of the Rutgers University School of Law – Newark Loan Repayment Assistance Program, a member of the New Jersey Law Journal Young Lawyers Advisory Board, the Co-Chair of the NJSBA Membership and Public Relations Committee and President of the Mercer County Women Lawyers Caucus. Ms. Harvey also serves as a founding board member to the Community Justice Center, a non-profit organization that assists disabled veterans to obtain disability benefits.

In addition, she previously served as Trustee to the NJSBA, Chair to the NJSBA-YLD and Programming Coordinator for the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. She has been recognized by her peers and named as a 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 “New Jersey Super Lawyer Rising Star.” She has also received three “Star of the Quarter” awards for her work in the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. The NJSBA-YLD awarded Ms. Harvey the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award in 2015, the Professional Achievement Award in 2013, and the Service to the Bar Award in 2009. She was recently honored as a New Leader of the Bar by the New Jersey Law Journal in 2015.

Before joining the Firm, she was an associate at Sterns & Weinroth. After graduating from Rutgers University School of Law, Newark, she was a law clerk to the Honorable Dorothea O’C. Wefing, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, during the 2004-2005 court term. Prior to law school, Ms. Harvey was a contract specialist for the United States Navy.

Abstract

Learn how to improve your writing skills in order to effectively communicate.  This course will discuss the different types of communication from persuasive writing to explanatory writing, and compare the principles involved in writing for the reader’s benefit.

10:10 – 11:10 Allyce McWhorter – Video Spectral Comparators: Explaining to the Layperson

Bio

Allyce is a Senior Applications Specialist for Foster + Freeman (2014-current). Her roles and responsibilities at Foster + Freeman include installation and training for all of the company’s product range, including crime scene analysis (Crime-Lites), fingerprints (Crime-Lite Imager), questioned documents (VSC8000), trace evidence (ffTA/GRIM3/MSP/Raman/ECCO), and DNA screening. She received her Bachelor of Science degrees in Forensic & Investigative Sciences and Biology from West Virginia University in 2012, a Master of Science degree in Forensic & Investigative Science from West Virginia University in 2014, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Oregon State University in 2016.

Abstract

The Video Spectral Comparator (VSC) is a standard instrument in a Questioned Document Examiner’s toolkit. We understand what this is instrument does, but can we explain how they are doing it to the jury or the layperson? In this presentation, we will discuss the theory and applications behind the light sources, filters, and other major components of the VSC, and how best to simplify those explanations for easier understanding.

11:20 – 12:20 Eran GraysonReclaiming 2 Productive Hours Per Day to Get Things Done in the Era of Distraction 

Abstract

Do you ever wonder why we accomplish so little even while we are always “crazy” busy?  Our attention is under a constant barrage of email notifications, calendar reminders, text messages, voicemails, IM, tweets, and anything else that beeps, rings, or vibrates.  Research consistently shows that interruptions and distractions at work are killing productivity and making us more anxious in the process.  Combining the latest scientific research with practical strategies for increasing focus and attention, this talk will change how you think about and manage your attention while transforming your relationship with distracting technology.

What if you could reclaim 2 hours of productivity, per day, without working any faster or more hours than you currently do right now? While that might sound too good to be true, for many professionals, that is very much a reality. There are many low hanging fruits that are frequently overlooked when it comes to saving time. Learn 5 simple strategies that can easily translate into reclaiming hours of productivity each and every single day.

Bio

Eran Grayson’s mission is to debunk the myth that there is a secret to success.  It was his lifelong curiosity with engineering successful outcomes into reliable and repeatable processes that ultimately led him down the path to becoming a time management expert and productivity coach.

Having worked with and extensively researched the habits and methods of successful and effective professionals, Eran firmly believes that amazing success is largely a product of what you do and how you think as opposed to who you are or what you know.  His outside-the-box thinking provides a unique perspective and solutions to professionals who are overwhelmed with too much to do and not enough time to get it all done.

Most importantly, Eran is driven by a passion to champion others and inspire change in those who wish to reach their full potential. He is frequently sought by professionals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners for his vast knowledge and skills in improving time management and productivity as well as his ability to help individuals identify blindspots and break through the obstacles that are getting in the way of their success

1:00 – 2:00 Ken May – You’ve been hacked and don’t know it

Abstract

Cyber threats are everywhere these days! In this presentation you will learn about the current threat landscape, where the threats are coming from, and who is actually profiting from these attacks. It’s not all doom and gloom however, you’ll also learn multiple techniques to protect yourself and your client’s information from harm.”

Bio

Ken May is a Certified Ethical Hacker, Information Security and Compliance Auditor, Network Penetration Tester, Cybersecurity Analytics Professional, CEO, and owner of Swift Chip, a Managed IT Security Services provider, based in Southern California.

He has a Master’s Degree from SBCOM, a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College and has written 3 books and numerous articles. He has been Voted Top Channel Influencer of the SMBnation 150, and carries numerous certifications from HP, Microsoft, Cisco, SANS, CompTIA, Symantec, Dell and more. Recently, he was chosen by his peers to be elected to the CompTIA IT Security Community Executive Council, where he will directly influence the education and guidance of their international IT Security community. Ken has been selected to participate in the SANS Instructor program, teaching cybersecurity certification prep classes to the CIA, FBI, Homeland security, and the nation’s top security-focused companies. Ken is also a Commissioner for the City of Ventura, CA, where he works to help promote the Arts in his community.

He enjoys music, martial arts, movies and SCUBA diving.

Mr. May strongly believes that it is important to be actively involved in the community, and that one should always try to keep the ‘Big Picture’ and long term goals in mind when solving immediate-need issues, whether it be in business, community or one’s personal life.

https://swiftchip.com

2:10 – 3:40 David Witzke – A Digital Evaluation of Questioned Documents

Abstract

With the move to store critical documents (such as mortgage documents, deeds, wills and so forth) in digital document management solutions, it is more important now than ever to know how to distinguish between a “wet-ink” original document, an original scan of a wet- ink original document or a copy of a copy of a “supposed” wet-ink original document.

When electronic copies of questioned documents are printed and then analyzed, the examiner has already committed a serious misstep in their analysis and evaluation.  These electronic documents are frequently submitted without any documentation of attribution, source or origin, which should be provided for each file provided.  (In layman’s terms, think chain of custody.  Was the “original” created from one or more electronic copies of “other” documents, then printed and rescanned to hide the obvious artifacts.)

When technology is used improperly, it can allow financial institutions or greedy individuals to perpetrate a fraud upon innocent, unsuspecting victims.  During this presentation, we will discuss when and why you should do an on-screen comparison instead of evaluating a printed document.  We will also consider how to identify whether the integrity of a document is an issue because of JPG or PDF compression algorithms.  These artifacts provide a significant challenge to identifying characteristics such as speed, letter formation, connecting strokes, initiating and terminating strokes, pen pressure, size, line quality and other attributes of document analysis.

With the inadvertent loss or intentional destruction of originals after documents have been “preserved” electronically, it is incumbent upon every document examiner to fully comprehend and understand these issues as well as be able to explain these issues in their reports or in their testimony in court.

Bio – Vice President, Program Management, Foray Technologies

With more than 28 years of AFIS and forensic digital imaging experience, David Witzke (better known as Ski), is considered one of the foremost experts in forensic digital imaging technologies.  Ski is an associate member of the International Association for Identification (IAI) as well as the European and regional divisions of the IAI, is a member of the Canadian Identification Society (CIS), and is an Associate Member of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes Fingerprint Working Group (ENFSI FWG).  In addition, Ski was elected to the ENFSI FWG Steering Committee at the organization’s 2017 annual meeting in Cergy, France.  Ski was also named chairperson of the Digital Evidence Subcommittee for the IAI in September 2017.

Ski has been invited to speak at hundreds of regional, national and international IAI conferences; AFIS user group meetings; and the ENFSI FWG meetings in Split, Croatia; Taormina, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Cerge, France; and Lausanne, Switzerland.  Ski was also the guest instructor of the Digital Imaging of Evidentiary Photography training program at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia for more than seven years, and was the instructor for the Forensic Digital Image Processing program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Vancouver, BC for more than six years.  He also provided digital imaging training for the Automatic Fingerprint Recognition systems (AFR) Consortium at police agencies throughout the United Kingdom, and for the Federal Department of Justice and Police AFIS/DNA Services in Berne, Switzerland.

Ski is a contributing writer for three well-known forensic books:  Crime Scene Photography (Third Edition, published 2016 by Academic Press), Introduction to Crime Scene Photography (published 2012 by Academic Press) and Footwear, The Missed Evidence (Third Edition, published 2013 by Staggs Publishing).  (Crime Scene Photography has been chosen by the IAI certification committees for the Certified Crime Scene Investigator (CCSI) Certification Test, the Certified Crime Scene Analyst (CCSA) Certification Test, the Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst (CSCSA) Certification Test, and the Forensic Photography Certification Test.)  Ski is also working on a fourth book on forensic digital imaging; the book is currently scheduled to be published in the second half of 2019.

 

Register for the 2019 SAFE conference

Early bird rates expire on August 10, 2019

SAFE members, enter the discount code then press Apply. The member rate will be shown.